Josh Barro, a former New York Magazine writer and economics expert, joins Megan McArdle, a Washington Post columnist, and Ben Dreyfuss, a political commentator, for a lively discussion. They analyze the shifting political landscape since Trump’s inauguration, reflecting on early activist fervor and disillusionment. The trio also dives into the complexities of political pardons post-January 6th and the growing normalization of political violence. Humor meets insight as they tackle U.S. energy policies and examine Gen Z's unique ideological landscape, revealing surprising perspectives on free speech and misinformation.

A sober first segment about war and death is interrupted by our chaotic and fatphobic friend Ben Dreyfuss, who joins the Fifth to discuss his insane Twitter account and why he keeps making people really mad. * We haven’t seen many of these Oscar movies* German Leopards for Ukraine* The arrival of “Jaws star Richard Dreyfuss' actor son Ben, 36, [who was] slammed for saying he'd never have sex 'with a fat person’”* That Daily Mail article / We read Ben some of the comments* Wait, why did Ben get fired from Mother Jones again?* Will there ever be a deal-breaking sex scandal again?* Peter Falk, gay icon?* An important conversation about Rocky* Trump can come back to Facebook* The government is suing Google This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

Ben Dreyfuss, a YIMBY advocate known for his insights on economic proposals, joins the discussion to critique Kamala Harris's recent economic policies. He questions the effectiveness of her initiatives like price controls and homebuyer subsidies, highlighting contradictions in her platform. The conversation also touches on the disconnect between political popularity and substantive policy, examining how superficial populism might influence public perception. Dreyfuss emphasizes the need for authenticity and a more coherent economic vision moving forward.

Ben Dreyfuss joins Katie to discuss growing up poor, Mother Jones, #MeToo, and refusing an invite to an orgy. They delve into wealth in Sun Valley, media misrepresentation, cultural shifts in media organizations, navigating political differences, false allegations, cancel culture, and the impact of social media on public discourse.

Ben Dreyfuss, former editorial director at Mother Jones and now author of the Calm Down Substack, shares his experiences from the Democratic National Convention. He analyzes Kamala Harris's role and the growing influence of the left within the party. Dreyfuss dives into the decline of woke politics and its impact on voter perceptions. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of journalism, emphasizing the shift toward platforms like Substack and how they're reshaping media dynamics in the era of complex political narratives.